Childminder in Richmond upon Thames

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY283401 Inspection date 05/12/2008 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and 22 months in a three-storey town house in the London Borough of Richmond. The childminder is currently caring for one child aged one year and is registered on the Early Years Register and both compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. With the exception of the childminder's bedroom, the utility room and study, all areas of the home are registered for childminding use. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are exceedingly happy and secure. The childminder's commitment towards training and independent study is rapidly developing her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Her professional approach towards working in partnership with parents enables high levels of consistency and continuity of care and learning for children. They work together to support children's emotional needs and to provide an exciting, diverse and fully inclusive programme of activities to escalate children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has devised and implemented underpinning policies and procedures which, overall, promote, support and safeguard children's welfare and well-being very effectively.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 strengthen the procedure for keeping children safe on outings and further secure the bamboo fencing so that it does not collapse when leaned on  clarify which infant paracetamol parents are giving their consent to administer for  further develop methods for monitoring children's progress and development towards the early learning goals to inform assessment

p.3

provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has renewed her first aid certificate and attended a wealth of valuable training which she is making exceptionally good use of to improve the outcomes for children. For example, a group exercise helped her to recognise inclusive and exclusive practice, and what that feels like for children. This led to her finding out about the 'inclusion development programme', 'supporting boys' achievements' and promoting literacy through 'letters and sounds'. As a result, children benefit from an individualised programme for supporting and developing language and literacy skills.

p.3

provision

Most of the garden is secured with strong perimeter fencing; one section has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 bamboo screening which is not secure enough. The childminder has fitted her new home with child safety gadgets to prevent children from accessing hazards. Outside venues are similarly risk assessed so that appropriate action or preparations can be taken before they visit for the first time. Children's welfare is exceptionally well safeguarded by the childminder's robust child protection policy; her understanding of good monitoring systems and of the procedure to follow if she is concerned about a child. A full set of regulatory and operational policies and procedures are in place and, in the main, these support the safe and efficient management of the provision. However, not enough attention is given to the possibility of a lost child situation and the written parental consent to enable her to

p.3

provision

administer temperature reducing medication is not specific enough to be wholly verifiable.

p.4

provision

Parents are provided with very good quality information to explain the childminder's regulatory responsibilities and operational plan, and the children's progress and development towards the early learning goals. The childminder has begun to maintain a learning journey for children, although this is in the early stages of implementation and not yet fully effective as a tool for informing assessment or determining next steps for learning. The childminder's holistic approach towards learning and development means that she takes excellent account of children's personal, social and emotional requirements.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Exciting activities and high quality play and learning resources ensure that children have a wonderful time at this setting. They laugh with delight as they create absurdities and sensibilities by mixing and matching bottoms and tops of pictures in one of the childminder's outstanding selection of books. For example, an exploding volcano, or alternatively an exploding fish (a fish tail and top of a volcano). Many of the books offer two and three dimensional features, take children on journey's around the world to see how others live, and deliver moral messages, for instance about sharing. Children are learning new language, taking an active part in the story telling and are developing a love of books. The foundations for early literacy skills are being firmly laid.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The programme of activities and the daily routine is based upon the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs; emotional and cognitive. She gains this knowledge through her observations and highly valuable partnership with parents, which enables them to plan together how best to support children's learning, for example through music. Children attend a weekly 'singing hands' group (a combination of singing and sign language) with both their parent and the childminder. With music playing in the background, children sing and dance contentedly whilst playing. They operate musical programmable equipment and have constant access to musical instruments. Good quality manufactured toys, as well as natural resources encourage use of the imagination. Dolls are gently comforted and fed and transported around in pushchairs, the story of the nativity is explored with small world figures, Christmas pictures are independently designed

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

with glue, glitter and paint, and cardboard boxes are transformed into dens, a manger and such like. Children benefit from daily outdoor activities and visit This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different toddler groups where they learn to socialise with groups of children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children sleep peacefully and comfortably in their own cot with their preferred comforters. They have their own face cloths and hand towels which minimises the spread of germs. Snacks and meals are nutritious and the family style meals, with the childminder eating with the children at the table, is encouraging them to adopt good, healthy eating habits and good social skills. Toddlers are gaining in independence; they help themselves to resources and are encouraged to feed themselves. The childminder is kind and gentle in her management of the children. She lavishes praise and this builds their confidence and self-esteem. A strong, trusting and affectionate relationship exists between the childminder and children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8